Moto GP RACE
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his third fourth place in a row.
Marco Melandri (San Carlo Honda), using
Showa suspension for the first time, had his
best race of the year, dropping back from
this group by the end, but comfortably
clear of fellow satellite-team rider Randy de
Puniet (LCR Honda).
A gang disputed eighth, narrowly won
by Hector Barbera (Paginas Amarillas Aspar
Ducati) from Aleix Espargaro (Pramac
Ducati), Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda)
and Hiro Aoyama (Interwetten Honda).
Colin Edwards (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha)
dropped off the back of this group by the
end; a long way back Mika Kallio, injured in
a heavy practice fall, brought the second
Pramac Ducati home for some points.
Ben Spies (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) and
Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) joined Stoner
on the crash list early on.
There may be 14 races to go but the
championship is already looking like a two-
man Yamaha fight. Lorenzo has 70 points
and Rossi 61. Dovizioso is third on 42, then
Pedrosa (40), Hayden (39) and de Puniet (26).
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